Bus fare collection halted due to health and safety, union concerns
A Metro fare ban has been announced for this week as the bus union escalates action over concerns for public transport employees’ safety. When it will begin.
Tasmania
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Union and health and safety representatives for Metro bus drivers have announced they will stop collecting bus fares on the Hobart network from Friday.
The decision comes after what the union describes as an “alarming rise” in robberies and assaults on drivers.
Metro health and safety representatives have implemented a cease work direction on bus drivers from collecting fares on the Hobart network to reduce the risk of harm to frontline workers.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) secretary Byron Cubit said the action is part of the union’s primary concern for safety and wellbeing of its members.
“No bus driver should have to go to work fearing for their life,” he said.
“The rise in robberies and physical assaults has created an unacceptable risk to our members safety.
“Swift action must be taken to ensure drivers can work in a safe and secure
environment.
“Banning fare collection removes a well-established escalation point which all too
often leads to assaults on drivers.”
The RTBU is now calling on the state government to follow through on their commitment to
train and deploy transit officers across the state, as well as fast track the new ticketing
system which would eliminate the need for bus drivers to carry or handle cash.
A Metro spokesperson said any act of violence against drivers is “completely unacceptable”, but said it was working with health and safety representatives in terms of the fare ban.
“Metro believes this direction to be invalid and is not in line with our incident response procedures,” the spokesperson said.
“Therefore, Metro advises that it expects passengers to pay a fare for travel and drivers to assist customers to do so.
“The safety of our bus operators is our priority, and we are working closely with Tasmania Police over recent incidents.
“ Given these events have occurred in specific hot spots, Metro has taken the steps to reduce its services to and from the Gagebrook / Herdsman’s Cove area after 9pm daily.
“Metro will continue to monitor and keep customers updated.”
“This Government committed to a State-wide deployment of Transit Officers over two
years ago,” Mr Cubit said.
“They’ve been dragging their heels for far too long.
“They deployed security guards with no powers in these tough conditions who
unfortunately have become targets themselves.
“Instead, the state government’s focus has been on a jobs-freeze and asset sales
agenda that does nothing to address the real issues in this state.
“While this ban is specifically for the Hobart network, HSR’s are currently assessing the
local conditions in Launceston and Burnie.”
The ban on fare collection is effective from the beginning of bus operation on Friday and the RTBU said it will remain in place until further notice.
A Metro bus driver, who wished to remain anonymous, has shared their knowledge of multiple cash till robberies onboard buses as well as an alleged assault on a driver on Monday that left him hospitalised.
“The police who work with us do their best given the circumstances, however the Police Minister and Commissioner are clearly out to lunch,” the driver said.
A State Government spokesperson confirmed that safety measures such as security screens and transit officers were still being processed, with some transit officers under an approved program expected to be rolled out this year.
“Any assault on our bus drivers must be condemned.
“It is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Metro undertook extensive consultation and testing with drivers on different prototypes to avoid unintended impacts, such as glare or blind spots.
“The screen design is currently awaiting approval from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
“Since April 2023, Transit Officers have been operating under a pilot program in southern Tasmania while a statewide rollout progresses.
“There is ongoing planning to support this rollout including the development of an operating model for endorsement by the Transport Commission.”
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Originally published as Bus fare collection halted due to health and safety, union concerns
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